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CINCH ENDORSEESCHRIS YOUNG
Anyone who has heard Chris Young sing and experienced his poised and engaging stage show has learned that this talented Country artist has what it takes to succeed. With the air of high expectation and inevitability that always surrounds him; it was only a matter of time before Chris joined the roster of talented country singers wearing Cinch jeans.
Chris came by his musical obsession honestly, and some of his earliest memories involved listening to his grandfather, one-time Louisiana Hayride performer Richard Yates, play piano and guitar at family gatherings. By grade school, Chris’ performances in children’s theater lead his family and friends to discover his innate singing talent. In high school, Chris devoted himself to getting better at music, all the time receiving all the support he needed from his parents. His persistence paid off, and Chris began to play gigs at prestigious Nashville music clubs. By his senior year in high school he put out his first album. In college, Chris took business classes at Belmont University in Nashville, then at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. After two years, Chris put his classes aside to pursue music full-time. Soon he gained the attention of talent scouts, impressing them with his voice, songwriting and hard-work ethic. Chris was playing four nights a week at a Texas nightclub when one of his loyal fans insisted he audition for Nashville Star. A friend paid the way for Chris to get to the auditions in Houston, and the rest is history.
Chris stood head and shoulders above the rest of the competition at every level, and fans and judges recognized him as a star immediately. Although he is only 21 years old, Chris seems to have an old soul and a live-in voice custom made for country music. But his talent doesn’t stop there. Not only has Chris proved his talent in singing and performing, he also wrote the best of his songs on his self-titled debut album on RCA Records. Chris has lived up to everyone’s expectations by creating a stunning debut that puts and up-to-date, contemporary edge on traditional Country music. Like his idols, Chris ushers country’s classic sound into the modern era, energizing core themes and values to make them applicable in today’s world, and that’s why his fans love him.
JOSH GRACIN
Born and raised in Westland, Michigan, about 30 minutes west of Detroit, Josh Gracin grew up listening to his parents’ favorites – Elvis, the Beatles, and vintage rock and pop on a favorite local station. Then, when he was 11, the station changed formats. Josh was left listening to country, and he grew to love it. His first public appearance was at an 8th grade talent competition where he sang Garth Brooks’ 1993 hit “Standing Outside The Fire,†and managed to win over an audience full of dance music-loving peers. Josh also had experience singing everything from opera as a member of his school choir to Motown as the only male singer in a review called the Fairlane Youth Pop Orchestra. Through it all, his love of country persisted. For all he accomplished, though, Josh came to the conclusion that he had some growing up to do. Josh’s life changed when he joined the Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in southern California. During this time, he also reunited with his girlfriend, Ann Marie, and they were married soon afterward.
Josh signed with Lyric Street Records after American Idol 2. The young Michigan native with the great pipes and dynamic stage presence recorded his debut album, which carries his brand of high-energy country to the nation’s radio airwaves. His debut CD captures the world-class voice and performing magic that made him such a star on American Idol 2. The album’s energy draws directly from the fire Josh displays on stage, a place that has long felt like home for him. For all the attention and all the fan mail he’s received, Josh remains a down-to earth young man. Along the way, he has shared the dream and the reality with country fans everywhere. Josh’s sophomore album will be released in June 2006 and his new single “Favorite State Of Mind†is climbing the charts
EMERSON DRIVE
Emerson Drive is: Brad Mates, lead vocals; Dale Wallace, keyboards; Danick Dupelle, guitar; David Pichette, fiddle; Mike Melancon, drums and Patrick Bourque, bass guitar.
Over the past few years, this group of six talented musicians has patiently paid their dues, honed their skills and crossed the country dozens of times with a relentless touring schedule. The fans have never had a difficult time relating to the explosively exciting band. The band maintains an active touring schedule; a testament to their popularity and the unending devotion of their fans. Emerson Drive's history is based on a solid foundation which garnered them their loyal fans. The band emerged from Canada onto the Nashville country music scene in 2001 with their brand of hip country combined with stellar musicianship.
Committed to their music and their genre the band set down roots in Nashville and have dedicated themselves even more to their careers. When the newly formed independent label Midas Records Nashville heard some of the material the band was cutting, they immediately became interested and later signed the band, recognizing the quality and integrity of the music they were hearing. Emerson Drive's electrifying onstage energy comes through at every turn on their new CD called “Countrified.†Emerson Drive feels they have finally made a record that is truly indicative of their talents and musical capabilities, and they hope it will be an artistic turning point for the versatile and energetic band.
BRICE LONG
Raised on a 60-acre farm just outside of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Brice Long grew up working the fields, tending cattle and hogs, and keeping his ears glued to the local country radio station. Even though Brice grew up with country music in the very air that he breathed, it wasn’t until he was older that he actually considered making it a career. He started singing at churches, weddings, talent shows, and with his school choir, and after high school, he began taking the stage at nightclubs.
Brice got his foot in the door while living in Nashville and taking an internship in the publishing division of Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Entertainment company. In 2004, Brice was signed with Sony and co-wrote eight of the eleven songs on his debut album. Brice admits his roots are never far from the surface. For one thing, he married a girl from “back home†– his wife is a Kentucky native too. For another, the words and work ethic of his father, and the lessons of his family farm are still very much instilled in him. They stay him through to where he ultimately wanted to be – a recognized, successful singer-songwriter with his own record deal, and he knows they will be with him as he continues to grow his career.
SETH JAMES
Seth James’ voice is as powerful as his uncontainable blues aura. Raised in King County, just north of Abilene, Texas, it is no surprise that he comes across as much of a Texan on the outside as he is on the inside. With a skilled piano player for a grandfather, and an accomplished drummer for a father, Seth James’ musical itch was inherited.
Seth James soon made the move to Austin, Texas, which placed him in the “Mecca†of Texas music opportunity-- a place that has undoubtedly embraced this one of a kind talent. Seth James performs on both sides of the finely drawn line between blues and rock genres, combining firmly planted blues roots with impressive rock riffs. It doesn’t matter what label you can stamp on it…it’s just plain good. He has quickly captivated listeners and fans, and has created a marvel in the meantime.
JOHN STONE
John Stone grew up in Dogtown, a small town in northern Alabama. He picked up the guitar when he was six and as time progressed, he became enamored with a variety of instruments. At 17, John enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program of the Alabama National Guard. As soon as he graduated from high school, he went straight to boot camp. Just four days out of boot camp, John was shipped off to serve his country in support of Operation Desert Storm. He was discharged at 25. John has a son, Jaxon. Since his arrival in Nashville in 2003, John admits he's become more knowledgeable about the music business.
John's concentration is to be the best that he can be [as a man, as a father, as a son, as a friend, as an artist]. He's completed the first phase to make it to "stardom" and is moving on to the next stage. John admits music is his everything. "Music is everything I do. I listen to the radio all of the time. I have tons of instruments at home [10 acoustic guitars, 7 electric guitars, 1 bass, 1 fiddle, and a keyboard]. I like to go see live shows and I'm a student at every performance that I attend whether it be a seasoned professional or an amateur. Life without music would make for an unfulfilling life!"
KENI THOMAS
As an Army Ranger and member of the elite Task Force Ranger assault unit, Thomas fought in the Somalia battle recounted in the book and motion picture BLACK HAWK DOWN. Outnumbered ten-to-one, the men of TFR distinguished themselves in the most intense urban ground fighting since World War II. Eighteen Americans died and another 76 were wounded.
Keni's Squad in Somalia w Super 66
Keni now devotes his life to Nashville as a full time songwriter and one of country music's truly talented up and coming artists. When not on the road with his band, Thomas is regularly booked as a keynote speaker for corporations and organizations around the nation giving motivational speeches on teamwork and leadership. He is a national spokesman for the Hero Fund and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
TRACY LAWRENCE
Tracy Lawrence is one of the premiere voices of his generation, a sensitive and intelligent singer who continues to stretch both as an artist and as a person. Lawrence's dedication to honesty and respect for tradition have enabled him to build one of the most respected careers in recent country history. Tracy has posted more No. 1 Billboard country singles than greats like Glen Campbell, Keith Whitley, Ernest Tubb, Wynonna or Barbara Mandrell, to name just a few; more Top 5's than Shania Twain, Faith Hill or The Judds; and more Top 10's than Ricky Skaggs, Charlie Rich, John Michael Montgomery or Dwight Yoakam. It's no surprise that over the years Lawrence has received widespread recognition: He was named Billboard's Top New Male Vocalist in 1992, garnering the Academy Of Country Music's Top New Male Vocalist trophy a year later; he earned the Country Weekly Golden Pick Awards' Video Artist Of The Year prize in 1995 and its Editor's Choice Platinum Pick crown in 1996, among other honors.
Lawrence has always been active in charitable causes, and he is annually at the helm of two events that are especially meaningful to him: a homecoming concert in his hometown that funds the Tracy Lawrence Foundation and a golf tournament in Texarkana, Texas, benefiting both the Tracy Lawrence Foundation and the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Assn. Lawrence's foundation has endowed scholarships and, most recently, provided funds to equip a high school computer science lab, a room that has been named after him. Lawrence helped raise more than a million dollars for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis; he's participated in numerous fundraisers for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; generated awareness and funds for CASA, a non-profit organization providing trained volunteer advocates to abused and neglected children caught up in the legal systems; and supported a lengthy list of the charitable causes of fellow celebrities and media outlets through live concert appearances, autograph signings, auction item donations, and interviews. "People have a duty to help each other out," he says. "I'm happy I can give something back to society through my efforts to raise funds and awareness for these important causes."
